TRIBAL WARFARE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1919, Page 5

TRIBAL WARFARE.

PLUCKY BRITISH SOLDIERS. FIERCE HAND TO HAND FIGHT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 28, 11.45 p.m. Cairo, Dec, 25. Two British majors were killed in tribal fighting, in which a thousand Soudanese rushed a British post and [slaughtered the defenders. Later the attacks were beaten off. The incident is not connected with the Egyptian unrest. Cairo, Dec. 2G. Details of the deaths of Majors Stignand (West Rents) and White (of the Essex Regiment) provide a thrilling story of British frontier fighting. Major White, commanding an equatorial battalion, explored from Tombe amongst disaffected tribes, which recently attacked British posts, compelling a retirement and killing twelve. Major White re-established the post, but it was heavily attacked on the night of November 15th. In severe hand fighting the enemy suffered heavy loss. Our losses were seven killed and nine wounded.

Major Stignand, Governor of Mongolia, with a further company joined Major White and proceeded to clear lip the country. The rest is unknown, but on December 13th, a mutilated telegram was received reporting that n thousand of the enemy on December Stli rushed the advance guard of a column which was marching in open square formation through thick grass seven feet high, driving it upon the main body. Fierce hand to hand fighting ensued, and Major White and Major Stignan, a Captain, 22 rankers, and four carriers were killed. The enemy (vere driven off and the column managed to withdraw after five days' march through long grass and high water.—Times Service.